Paint tray and handle unit

ABSTRACT

A generally upstanding handle is coupled to a paint tray for use in carrying and supporting the paint tray. The handle, constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, is an open wire framework having its top portion bent to constitute hooks by which the paint tray can be suspended for storage purposes or during periods of usage by a painter. The framework has plural resilient tongues and plural adjustable resilient loops for engaging portions of the paint tray in order to assist in stabilizing a chosen position of the tray.

United States Patent [191 Beutlier et a1.

[54] PAKNT TRAY AND HANDLE UNIT [76] Inventors: Elzy Alonzo Beutler;Daniel James Beutler, both of 299 Drexel Avenue, Ventura, Calif.

22 Filed: Aug.25, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 174,678

[52] US. Cl. ..220/95, 15/257.06, 248/318,

248/340 [51] Int. C1. ..B65d 25/28 [58] Field of Search ..220/95,'90,94; 248/211, 340, 318; 15/257.06; 215/100 A [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,698,450 1/1955 Mack ..220/90 3,641,616 2/1972 Bonci..l5/257.06 1,024,841 4/1912 Emery ..220/95 [4 1 May 8, 1973 1,772,3928/1930 Firl 220/95 Primary Examiner-Joseph R. Le clair AssistantExaminer-Steven E. Li'pman Attorney-Pastoriza & Kelly 57 ABSTRACT Agenerally upstanding handle is coupled to a paint tray for use incarrying and supporting the paint tray.

The handle, constructed in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention, is an open wire framework having its top portion bent toconstitute hooks by which the paint tray can be suspended for storagepurposes or during periods of usage by a painter.

The framework has plural resilient tongues and plural adjustableresilient loops for engaging portions of the paint tray in order toassist in stabilizing a chosen position of the tray.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented May 8, 1973 FIG. 4

FIG.3

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention generally relates to painttray accessories and more specifically two handles specially constructedfor use in connection with paint roller trays.

Conventional paint trays or pans of the type used with paint rollerapplicators are difficult to hold still in a desired position and veryawkward and inconvenient to carry from place to place.

It is annoying when a painter is required to support the paint tray withone hand while using the other hand to manipulate the paint rollerapplicator. To move the paint tray to a new location the painter muststoop over to lift the tray and this can make the painter very weary andfatigued.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated this invention comprehends asimple, inexpensive and handy type of handle for use in carrying,hanging up and stabilizing paint trays of the type customarily used withpaint roller applicators.

The paint tray has a bottom wall, a pair of side walls, a relativelyshort'front wall and a relatively tall rear wall. The handle is coupledto the paint tray and aligned generally erect so it may be grasped by aperson.

In one embodiment the handle includes a pair of side members, an uppercross piece interconnecting the top portions of the side members, alower cross piece inter connecting the bottom portions of the sidemembers and a central member attached by its opposing ends to the upperand lower cross pieces for directly supporting the paint tray. Thecentral member has a lower strut segment attached to and extendinggenerally perpendicular from the midpointof the lower cross piece and anupper strut segment attached to the midpoint of the upper cross piece.Joining the lower and upper strut segments is an intermediate segmentformed with a retaining tongue for making resilient engagement over theedge of the paint tray rear wall. Preferably the intermediate segment issloped upwardly from the lower strut segment to the upper strutsegmentand is formed with a plurality of retaining tongues positioned atdif ferent heights to accommodate paint trays with rear walls ofdifferent heights. 1

The top portions of the side members and the upper segment of thecentral member are bent to constitute books that may be used to assistin hanging purposes. The members are preferably constructed from wireand the overall height of the handle is between 1 as to 2 feet.

The lower portions of the side members are formed with mutually inwardlybent retaining loops that make resilient engagement with the edges ofcorresponding paint trays side walls. An adjustable means constituted bya tubular friction joint can be used in accepting split sections of thelower cross piece in order to allow the width between the side memberstobe varied.

In a second embodiment of this invention the paint tray side walls areformed with a pair of mounting openings and a pair of locking notchespositioned above the openings. The handle has opposing ends pivotallymounted within corresponding locking openings allowing the handle to beswung between an erect position with the handle opposing ends snapfitted into the locking notches and a'swung-down position where thehandle ends are released from the notches.

In a third embodiment of this: invention a pair of mounting brackets isfixed to the paint tray side walls and the handle has opposing ends thatare bent perpendicularly and removably inserted into correspondingbrackets so that the entire handle can be physically detached from thepaint tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The numerous benefits and uniqueaspects of the present invention will be fully understood when thefollowing detailed description is studied in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, fragmentary view showing a paint tray handleconstructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational and exploded view showing side membersconstructed of wire and a tubular friction joint that can be used toadjustably hold the lower portions of the side members;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second paint tray handle constructedin accordance with this invention; and,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of a paint trayhandle constructed in accordance with thisinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I Referring now toFIG. 1 an open framework handle 10 is shown coupled to a paint pan ortray 11 of the type ordinarily used in connection with a paint roller.The various members of handle 10 are constructed of spring metalrods orwire.

Tray 11 has a relatively flat bottom wall 12, a pair of generallyparallel side walls 13 and 14, a relatively tall rear wall 15 near thedeeper end of tray 11 and a relatively short front wall 16 near theshallow end of tray 11. A series of parallel ribs 17, alignedperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of tray 11, are formed in bottomwall 12 for removing excess paint from a roller. One or more feet 18depend from the forward portion of bottom wall 12 to support the tray 11so that a pool of paint will be kept near the deep end of tray 11.

The handle 10 has a pair of generally symmetrical side members 20 and21. Side member 20 has a bottom portion 22, an intermediate portion 23and a top por tion 24. Similarly side member 21 has a bottom portion 25,an intermediate portion 26 and a top portion 27. Extending horizontallyacross the lower part of handle 10 is a bottom cross piece 28 thatinterconnects side members 20 and 21 by way of a pair of split sections29 and 30 respectively.

A horizontally disposed top cross piece 31 interconnects the topportions 24 and 27 of side members 20 and 21 respectively and has a pairof split sections 32 and 33 which terminate inwardly in a pair of tips34 and 35 whichcan be tightly coupled together in a manner to bedescribed. I

A central member 36 has a lower strut segment 37 which is directly orindirectly connected to bottom cross piece 28 and extends generallyperpendicular from the midpoint of bottom cross piece 28 to contact anddirectly support bottom wall 12 of paint tray 11. A

generally vertically aligned upper strut 38 of central member 36 isconnected approximately to the midpoint of top cross piece 31. Joininglower strut segment 37 and upper strut segment 38 is an intermediatesegment 39 which is generally sloped so as to be inclined from lowerstrut segment 37 towards upper strut segment 38. The intermediatesegment 39 is bent into a sinuous or undulating configuration aligned ina vertical plane so as to constitute a plurality of resilient retainingtongues 40, 41 and 42. The retaining tongues are positioned at differentelevations in order to accommodate a multitude of paint trays havingrear walls of varying heights. The middle retaining tongue 41, forpurposes of illustration, is shown making snap fitting engagement overthe edge of rear wall 15.

The top portion 24 of side member 20, the top portion 27 of side member21, and the upper strut segment 38 of central member 36 are all bent orbowed forwardly to constitute hooks 43, 44, and 45 respectively whichmay be used in hanging the handle on various objects. One object forpurposes of example may be the rung 46 of a painters ladder 47. The tip48 of upper strut segment 38 is shown wound tightly around the tips 34and 35 of side members 20 and 21 in order to con-- stitute a secure knotor coupling. The tips 34 and 35 could be bent back, welded to tip 48 orotherwise permanently or adjustably secured to tip 48.

The split sections 29 and 30 of bottom cross piece 28 are shownreleasably secured to an adjustable means that is constituted by atubular friction joint 49 into which split sections 29 and 30 areinserted. The lateral distance between the bottom portions of sidemembers 20 and 21 can be varied within certain limits by adjusting thedepth of penetration of the split sections 29 and 30 into tubularfriction joint 49. The tube can be constructed of any suitable materialsuch as rubber, plastic or aluminum so long as the split sections 29 and30 can be held with wedging action in the tube. The tip 50 of lowerstrut segment 37 can be wound around tube 49 and tightly secured to it.

The bottom portions 22 and 25 of the side members are bent to form apair of mutually inwardly extending retaining loops 22a and 25arespectively. The loops are preferably inclined downwardly towards painttray 11 so that they can make snap fitting engagement over the edges ofside walls 14 and 13 respectively. The adjustable means 49 can bemanipulated to increase or decrease the distance between the side memberbottom portions 22 and 25 in order to facilitate the resilient holdingengagement between the loops 22a and 25a with their corresponding painttray side walls 14 and 13 respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 2 the side members 51 and 52 of a handle are shownconverging upwardly with inwardly directed shoulders 53 and 54 shaped toengage opposing sides of a paint tray. The bottom cross piece 55 has apair of split sections 56 and 57 that can be adjustably inserted into afriction tube 58. Preferably the overall height D of the handle isbetween 1 a feet and 2 A feet so that a painter is not required to stoopover very much for grasping the handle to lift the paint tray and carryit elsewhere. In addition the height of the handle serves as a visualsafety feature since the painter will more than likely see the largehandle and avoid tripping over it.

Referring now to FIG. 3, which shows another embodiment of thisinvention, a handle 60 is shown pivotally coupled to a paint roller tray61 whose side walls are formed with mounting openings 62 and 63 abovewhich are formed locking notches 64 and 65. The opposing ends 66 and 67of handle 60 are bent inwardly and pivotally mounted withincorresponding holes 62 and 63. The handle 60 can therefore be easilymoved from a relatively flat and horizontal alignment, as indicated bythe solid lines, by swinging it upwardly as indicated by arrow R to anerect orientation as indicated by the dot dash lines. In this latterposition the lower segments of handle ends 66 and 67 make snap fittingengagement within the locking notches 64 and Referring to FIG. 4 thehandle 70 is shown removably secured to a paint roller tray 71 that hasa .pair of brackets 72 and 73 mounted to its side walls.

The free ends of handle 70 are bent perpendicularly and are removablyinserted into brackets 72 and 73 so that the entire handle 70 can bephysically detached from the paint tray as indicated by the dot dashline 76.

OPERATION Keeping the above constructions in mind it can be understoodhow previously described disadvantages of conventional techniques forhandling paint roller trays are overcome or substantially eliminated bythis invention.

In order to firmly couple paint tray 11 within handle 10, as shown inFIG. 1, the tray 11 is shown across bottom cross piece 28 and againstintermediate segment 39 until the paint tray rear wall 15 makes the bestpossible snap fitting engagement underneath a retaining tongue. Sincestandard paint tray sides vary any one of a plurality of retainingtongues 40, 41 or 42 may be found to be the most suitable for aparticular paint tray. In order to further stabilize the paint tray 11in place within handle 10 the adjustable means 49 is manipulated untilthe retaining loops 22a and 25a make resilient holding engagement withthe side walls 14 and 13 of the paint tray 11.

Thereafter the painter may grasp top cross piece 31 in order to carrythe paint tray 11 to different locations. The hooks 43, 44, and 45 canbe used in suspending the handle 10 from the rung 46 of the ladder 47for example or from other objects.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the present invention hasprovided a paint tray handle in which all of the various advantages arefully realized.

What is claimed is:

1. A paint tray combined with a handle, comprising:

a. a paint tray having a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls, a front walland a rear wall; and

b. a handle coupled to the paint tray and aligned generally erect forgrasping by a person to carry the paint tray, the handle including;

b,. a pair of side members;

b,. an upper cross piece interconnecting top portions of the sidemembers;

h a lower cross piece interconnecting bottom portions of the sidemembers; and,

b a central member attached by its opposing ends to the upper and lowercross pieces for directly supporting the paint tray.

central member includes:

a lower strut segment attached to and extending generally perpendicularfrom the mid point of the lower cross piece for supporting the bottomwall of the paint tray;

an upper strut segment attached to the mid point of the upper crosspiece; and,

an intermediate segment formed with a retaining tongue for makingresilient engagement with the paint tray over the edge of the paint trayrear wall.

3. The structure according to claim 2, wherein;

the intermediate segment is generally sloped upwardly from the lowerstrut segment to the upper strut segment, and, is generally formed witha plurality of retaining tongues at different heights to accommodatepaint trays with rear walls of different heights.

4. The structure according to claim 1, wherein;

the top portions of the side members and central member are bent toconstitute hooks for use in hanging the handle.

5. The structure according to claim 1, wherein;

the side members, upper and lower cross pieces and central member areconstructed from wire, and,

the handle is between 1 as feet and 2 1% feet high.

6. The structure according to claim 1, wherein;

the upper cross piece is shorter than the lower cross piece and the sidemembers generally converge upwardly.

7. The structure according to claim 1, wherein;

the lower portions of the side members are formed with mutually bentretaining loops making resilient engagement with the paint tray sidewalls.

8. The structure according to claim 7, wherein;

the retaining loops are inclined downwardly towards the paint tray andmake snap fitting engagement over the edges of the side walls.

9. The structure according to claim 10, including:

adjustable means for varying the width between the side members.

10. The structure according to claim 9, wherein;

the lower cross piece is split into sections and the adjustable meansincludes a tubular friction joint into which the split sections can beinserted to varying depths in order to vary the distance between theside members.

11.A paint tray combined with a handle, comprising:

a. a paint tray having a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls, a relativelyshort front wall and a relatively tall rear wall; and,

b. a handle coupled to the paint tray and aligned generally erect forgrasping by a person to carry the paint tray, the handle including:

b,. a pair of side members;

b an upper cross piece interconnecting upper portions of the sidemembers;

h a lower cross piece interconnecting bottom portions of the sidemembers;

b.,. a central member having a lower strut segment attached to andextending generally perpendicular from the mid point of the lower crosspiece for supporting the bottom wall of the paint tray, an upper strutsegment attached to the mid point of the up er crossgiece, and, anintermediate segment ormed wit a retaining tongue making resilientengagement over the paint tray rear wall; b hanging hooks constituted bybending the upper portions of the side members and central member and, bretaining loops formed by lower portions of the side members that extendmutually inwardly and make resilient engagement with the edges ofcorresponding paint tray side walls. 12. The structure according toclaim 1 1, wherein: the intermediate segment of the central member isgenerally sloped upwardly from the lower strut segment to the upperstrut segment and is formed with a plurality of retaining tongues atdifferent heights to accomodate paint trays with rear wall differentheights; adjustable means is provided for varying the width between thelower portions of the side members; and, the side members, upper andlower cross pieces and central member are constructed from wire and thehandle stands between 1 1% feet and 2 5% feet high.

i 3K i

1. A paint tray combined with a handle, comprising: a. a paint trayhaving a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls, a front wall and a rear wall;and b. a handle coupled to the paint tray and aligned generally erectfor grasping by a person to carry the paint tray, the handle including;b1. a pair of side members; b2. an upper cross piece interconnecting topportions of the side members; b3. a lower cross piece interconnectingbottom portions of the side members; and, b4. a central member attachedby its opposing ends to the upper and lower cross pieces for directlysupporting the paint tray.
 2. The structure according to claim 1,wherein the central member includes: a lower strut segment attached toand extending generally perpendicular from the mid point of the lowercross piece for supporting the bottom wall of the paint tray; an upperstrut segment attached to the mid point of the upper cross piece; and,an intermediate segment formed with a retaining tongue for makingresilient engagement with the paint tray over the edge of the paint trayrear wall.
 3. The structure according to claim 2, wherein; theintermediate segment is generally sloped upwardly from the lower strutsegment to the upper strut segment, and, is generally formed with aplurality of retaining tongues at different heights to accommodate painttrays with rear walls of different heights.
 4. The structure accordingto claim 1, wherein; the top portions of the side members and centralmember are bent to constitute hooks for use in hanging the handle. 5.The structure according to claim 1, wherein; the side members, upper andlower cross pieces and central member are constructed from wire, and,the handle is between 1 1/2 feet and 2 1/2 feet high.
 6. The structureaccording to claim 1, wherein; the upper cross piece is shorter than thelower cross piece and the side members generally converge upwardly. 7.The structure according to claim 1, wherein; the lower portions of theside members are formed with mutually bent retaining loops makingresilient engagement with the paint tray side walls.
 8. The structureaccording to claim 7, wherein; the retaining loops are inclineddownwardly towards the paint tray and make snap fitting engagement overthe edges of the side walls.
 9. The structure according to claim 10,including: adjustable means for varying the width between the sidemembers.
 10. The structure according to claim 9, wherein; the lowercross piece is split into sections and the adjustable means includes atubular friction joint into wHich the split sections can be inserted tovarying depths in order to vary the distance between the side members.11. A paint tray combined with a handle, comprising: a. a paint trayhaving a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls, a relatively short front walland a relatively tall rear wall; and, b. a handle coupled to the painttray and aligned generally erect for grasping by a person to carry thepaint tray, the handle including: b1. a pair of side members; b2. anupper cross piece interconnecting upper portions of the side members;b3. a lower cross piece interconnecting bottom portions of the sidemembers; b4. a central member having a lower strut segment attached toand extending generally perpendicular from the mid point of the lowercross piece for supporting the bottom wall of the paint tray, an upperstrut segment attached to the mid point of the upper cross piece, and,an intermediate segment formed with a retaining tongue making resilientengagement over the paint tray rear wall; b5. hanging hooks constitutedby bending the upper portions of the side members and central member ;and, b6. retaining loops formed by lower portions of the side membersthat extend mutually inwardly and make resilient engagement with theedges of corresponding paint tray side walls.
 12. The structureaccording to claim 11, wherein: the intermediate segment of the centralmember is generally sloped upwardly from the lower strut segment to theupper strut segment and is formed with a plurality of retaining tonguesat different heights to accomodate paint trays with rear wall differentheights; adjustable means is provided for varying the width between thelower portions of the side members; and, the side members, upper andlower cross pieces and central member are constructed from wire and thehandle stands between 1 1/2 feet and 2 1/2 feet high.